Chrysler
introduced the 2009 Lone Star Edition Dodge Ram 1500 at Texas' state
fair this week with an assertion that the Texas truck market is vitally
important to the company — 20 percent of all Dodge trucks are sold
in the state — and an emphasis on how important the all-new Ram will
be to the automaker: "We fall flat on the Ram," said Dodge
Division director Mike Accavitti, "and we die."

Last year, the Lone Star trim was only available in Quad Cab form. This
year, it starts as a crew cab 1500 SLT model.

Lone Star treatment includes an updated 380-horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi
V-8, dual chrome exhaust tips integrated with the rear bumper, 20-inch
painted wheels, a billet-style front grille insert and upgraded exterior
lighting. Inside, it adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated
audio controls, an overhead console and an illuminated visor mirror.
Of course, it also includes a Lone Star badge on the tailgate.

The Lone Star package costs $2,810, which is $750 less than if the components
were ordered individually.